Designing the Spare Parts Supply Chain in the Wind Energy Industry

Abstract

With the present work the authors aim to explore the role of hands-on programs as an important basis for the development of a sustainable manufacturing mindset in youngsters towards industry and future career development. This project rests on the belief that hands-on programs are important tools for education in consideration of the global citizen and of the sustained society development. The empirical part of this paper will be developed according to the case study approach methodology and grounded on the “Think Industry Project” (TIP), a hands-on program focused on experiencing, and on contradict the myth that manufacturing is not a sustainable economic activity. The authors will analyse and discuss the Technological Centre for the Metal Working Industry’ (CATIM) experience as a member of the Association of the Technological Centres of Portugal (RECET) in TIP. CATIM has had this project running since 1995 and it has encompassed more than 60.000 youngsters with ages between 13 and 17 years old. The main objective for TIP is to develop a positive vision of the industry, of employment opportunities and technical careers in the sustainable industrial sector, towards sustainable and active citizenship. In other words to promote “industrial literacy”. The authors will centre on one experiencing activity - “This is an idea!” (Tiai) game. Tiai is a pedagogical game designed and implemented in the field with the intention to: (1) foster entrepreneurial spirit focused on innovation and sustainability manufacturing, (2) to show the importance of brands and Industrial Property’ (IP) rights and (3) highlighting the opportunities open in engineering careers for future career development. The importance of hands-on projects (e.g. TIP) and activities (such as Tiai) mixing technology, innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship, as means for promoting education for sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship.